Pakistan on Monday announced its playing XI for final and third T20I against Australia set to be played at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
In a key decision, Pakistan has made a few changes for the dead rubber. Captain Mohammad Rizwan will be rested for this game, and Agha Salman, who was recently named as Rizwan’s deputy in white-ball cricket, will take over as the captain for the first time in his career.
Salman will be leading the team in his debut match as Pakistan's T20I captain.
Additionally, fast bowler Naseem Shah has been excluded from the playing XI. In his place, the team has brought in left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan. This change aims to provide fresh options in the bowling department as Pakistan looks to end the series on a high note.
The final XI for the match is as follows:
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Babar Azam
- Haseebullah Khan (WK)
- Usman Khan
- Salman Ali Agha (C)
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Abbas Afridi
- Shaheen Afridi
- Jahandad Khan
- Haris Rauf
- Sufyan Muqeem
This new lineup will look to challenge Australia in their final T20I encounter of the series, despite the result already being decided.
Earlier, Pakistan’s chase for a 148-run target in the second T20I against Australia fell short by 14 runs, despite late resistance from Usman Khan and Irfan Khan. Australia had already secured the series, but Pakistan fought hard in a thrilling finish.
Usman Khan top-scored with 52 runs off 36 balls, while Irfan Khan contributed an unbeaten 37 from 28 balls, including four boundaries and a six. The pair sparked a late revival, but Pakistan lost their last wicket—Haris Rauf, who was run out—leaving them 15 runs short with two balls remaining.
Pakistan's early batting failures were significant, with Babar Azam (3), Mohammad Rizwan (16), and Salman Agha (duck) unable to anchor the chase. Usman Khan's half-century briefly revived the chase, but Pakistan’s middle and lower order crumbled as Josh Johnson took crucial wickets, including Usman Khan and Abbas Afridi.
In the bowling department, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi stood out, claiming four and three wickets respectively. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah were costly in their spells. Australia’s strong start, led by Maxwell’s explosive innings and a brisk opening partnership, allowed them to set a competitive target.
Earlier in the series, Australia triumphed in the rain-affected first T20I by 29 runs, bolstered by Maxwell’s explosive knock and solid bowling performances.
Heading into the third T20I, Pakistan was under pressure to perform better after losing the series, with changes to their playing XI, including the inclusion of Sufiyan Muqeem in place of Haseebullah Khan.
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